Danvers selectmen call for licenses at Archer events

In recent years, members of the Board of Selectmen noticed that more and more events were being held at 10 North St., the home of John Archer.

Jeff Pope/ Wicked Local Danvers

In recent years, members of the Board of Selectmen noticed that more and more events were being held at 10 North St., the home of John Archer.

Archer, a Beverly insurance agent, is known for his philanthropy. He allows charities and non-profit organizations to use his house to hold fundraisers. And he occasionally has allowed people to hold weddings and other events at his house at no charge.

“I’ve been able to help some people out that couldn’t afford Danversport Yacht Club,” said Archer.

But selectmen raised concerns when the Goddess Evening, which was described as a spiritual evening of fun and a touch of the mystical, sought a one-day liquor license for its event at Archer’s home in June. The organizers of the event were not from Danvers, nor was it a non-profit group.

“For me, the version of what goes on there suddenly changed and I began to wonder, is that really a home for community, non-profit fundraising?” said Selectman Michael Powers. “Is it more of a commercial enterprise? Where is the line? And when does the property become much more of a commercial enterprise than a private residence?”

Archer attended the selectmen’s meeting on July 31 in hopes of settling the selectmen’s concerns. He said his home is not a commercial function hall, even though one selectman noted that 10 North St. was listed on an area caterer’s locations.

“We’ve made a lot of money for these organizations,” said Archer, but “I don’t make any money on these things. If anything, it costs me a lot of money.”

Because the Goddess Evening event was serving complementary glasses of wine to the attendees, it was required to get a one-day liquor license.

Selectman Keith Lucy found that there were three one-day liquor licenses granted to 10 North St. in 2011 and two so far this year, including the Goddess Evening event. Lucy also found that state law allows an individual to have 30 one-day liquor licenses in a year.

Lucy questioned whether all the events at Archer’s home required a license.

Archer noted that many of the events held at his house do not involve any alcohol. He mentioned a couple of recent events, including a concert by Music at Eden’s Edge and a party for Congressman John Tierney, who is running for re-election, where no alcohol was served. He said that iced tea was served at Tierney’s party.

“I’m well-known in the non-profit world and I’m on a lot of boards,” said Archer. “I’m president of a number of them. And I always tell (these groups), when they have alcohol, whether they are selling it, or there is a price to get in, I always tell them that they have to come down here and get a license. They haven’t always followed through.”

Selectman Dan Bennett pointed out that although the state allows 30 one-day liquor licenses, the town has set guidelines in 2011 at three a year for any address.

“We aren’t picking on John Archer,” said Bennett. “But it’s mostly that 10 North St. is hosting the events.”

Selectman Gardner Trask was one of several of the selectmen who admitted they had attended events at Archer’s home. Trask stressed the need for a license at any event where liquor was served.

“We do have to make sure that not only are we following the letter of the law, but we are protecting the town’s interest,” said Trask.

Powers, who said he lived in the neighborhood of North Street, raised the issue of parking on the street during events.

“Certainly I know there is a large number of events at your home, which result in cars parking on both sides of North Street and that restricts the traffic flow,” said Powers.

Archer said he “shared their concerns” about parking but added that there is space for 45 cars in his yard.

“I think I understand that where there is alcohol and there is money involved that is when someone has to come down,” to get a license, said Archer.

But both Powers and Lucy said they thought it was Archer’s responsibility to get the license.

Massachusetts state law requires “the responsible manager of an indoor or outdoor activity or enterprise” to get the license.

“So for your house, that’s you,” said Lucy. “So I think one of the troubles I had was that the folks that were coming down weren’t the responsible manager. The license is being issued for your home, not to their organization. That’s the key.”

“I hate to see you coming down here all the time, but I think it has to be you,” said Powers. “I’m not sure it can be or should be the organization.”

Archer seemed to accept that getting the licenses should be his responsibility, but admitted that he was looking to hold fewer events at his house.

“I’m getting older and it’s not as enjoyable for me,” said Archer. “So I’m being much more discouraging than ever before. … I appreciate your concern, but I think you’re going to see a lot less of that” in the future.

Trask said he didn’t want Archer to misinterpret the selectmen’s actions as an attempt to get him to reduce the number of events at his home.

“I hope that if you decline in the amount of events that you have, it’s purely on your desire,” said Trask. “This board isn’t trying to make it tougher on you or anybody to have an event. … If you have 30 in a year, great. Raise millions of dollars. I’m happy for it.”

Selectmen Chairman Bill Clark suggested that a standardized one-day license application should be created so that Archer, or anyone else, could pick them at Town Hall, fill them out at home, and return them to the town clerk.